Comedy Store (Stand-Up)
Comedy (Stand-Up)
A stand-up comedian is someone that performs in comedy clubs, usually reciting a fast paced succession of amusing stories, short jokes and one-liners, typically called a monologue. Some stand-up comedians use props, music, or magic tricks in their acts.
Stand-up comedy is perhaps the easiest field of entertainment for new talent to enter, because many smaller venues hold "open mic" events where the inexperienced can perform comedy before a live audience. However, perhaps more than any other performer, the stand-up comedian is at the mercy of the audience, which is an integral element of the act. A truly adept stand-up comedian must nimbly play off the mood and tastes of any particular audience, and adjust his or her routine accordingly. The test of a master stand-up comedian is the ability to not only face down a "heckler," but win over and entertain the rest of the crowd with a retort. Many of the all-time greats are featured below.
Right: Steven Wright
Billy Connolly: Live In New York (2005)
7.3/10
Starring: Billy Connolly
Though he's been touring the States with great success for more than 30 years, this is the first time one of his live shows has been taped there. Fil... Read more
Secret Policeman's Ball: Kings of UK Comedy (2005)
6.9/10
Starring: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, The Goodies, Barry Humph...
Enjoy some of the most hilarious moments in comedy history as Britain's finest funnymen - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, The... Read more
Ronnie Corbett Live (2004)
Starring: Ronnie Corbett
Ronnie Corbett, one of England's favourite stand-up comics performs a series of anecdotes, sketches, songs and his famous chair monologues to keep you... Read more
The Best of Jasper Carrott (2004)
Starring: Jasper Carrott
Jasper Carrott has long been one of Britian's most well-loved comedians and this special from 2004 shows him on top form. Recorded live at his home ci... Read more
Umbilical Brothers: Speedmouse (2004)
8.7/10
Starring: David Collins, Shane Dundas
After hitting it off at a Sydney Drama School in 1988, David Collins and Shane Dundas paired up to become the high energy comic performance act, The U... Read more
The Best of Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV (2004)
Director: Geoff Posner
Starring: Victoria Wood
An hilarious compilation of stand-up, sketches and songs from Victoria Wood. There's Acorn Antiques, "after last week's cliff-hanger, let's see if th... Read more
Dylan Moran: Monster - Live (2004)
8.5/10
Starring: Dylan Moran
'Black Books' star Dylan Moran combines his talents as an actor, writer and performer to great effect in his live one-man show. The perennially grumpy... Read more
Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth (2004)
8.5/10
Director: Stan Lathan
Starring: Dave Chappelle
Outrageous comedian Dave Chappelle is back on the stand-up circuit with more wry observations about everything from black celebrity to crackheads, fro... Read more
Ricky Gervais - Live 2: Politics (2004)
7.9/10
Director: Dominic Brigstocke
Starring: Ricky Gervais
Following the unbridled success of his first foray into the world of stand-up, Ricky Gervais switched his focus from the Animal Kingdom to Politics an... Read more
Bill Bailey: Part Troll (2004)
8.4/10
Director: Nick Morris
Starring: Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey, star of "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" and "Black Books" is one of the funniest bearded, babbling, bug-eyed druids the world has ever seen. H... Read more